Spinal Tap A to Zed

Simpsons,
The: David, Derek and Nigel were immortalized in an episode
of this popular television program entitled "The Otto Show"
that first aired on April 24, 1992. Two later Simpson episodes
would include sly references to the band, one of which showed
a Tap poster hanging in the room of Barts friend Milhouse
("Barts Friend Falls in Love") and another that
offered a brief glimpse of the band at the Grammy awards ("Homers
Barbershop Quartet"). During "The Otto Show," Bart
wears a "Spinal Tap World Tour" T-shirt before he leaves
to attend the bands Springfield concert, which is sponsored
by Duff Beer and Laramie Cigarettes. After Marge expresses concern,
"I hope the Spinal Taps dont play too loud," Homer
reassures her: "I went to thousands of heavy-metal concerts,
and it never hurt me. Marges response is drowned
out by the ringing in Homers ears. Outside the show, vendors
are hawking deeply discounted dated T-shirts that depict Tap kicking
dictator Mohammar Qadaffi in the butt. Inside, meanwhile, Bill
and Marty of KBBL interview Tap: "Here you are, among the
top 105 concert acts today. Whats your secret, guys?"
"Were very big in Bulgaria. And what-his-name, the
other -garia." During the performance, the spotlights stray,
theres audio feedback and water on the stage, a laser strikes
a band member in the eye, and a giant devil hovering overhead
deflates. Undaunted, the band says, "We salute you, our half-inflated
Dark Lord!" After 20 minutes, the band exits and a riot ensues.
Later, a schoolbus accidentally runs Taps tour bus into
a ditch as the band leaves town, causing it to overturn and burn.
Asked later to explain why the celluloid versions of Tap had to
meet their demise, David tells a reporter, "Death is a cartoon
tradition." (LAT)